Thirukkural 1058 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

இரப்பாரை இல்லாயின் ஈர்ங்கண்மா ஞாலம்
மரப்பாவை சென்றுவந் தற்று.

Transliteration

Irappaarai Illaayin Eernganmaa Gnaalam
Marappaavai Sendruvan Thatru

Modern English

“If no one ever needed help, the world's acts of giving would lose their purpose, like a puppet moving without a living hand.”

Modern Interpretation

If no one ever needed help, the world's acts of giving would lose their purpose, like a puppet moving without a living hand. A donation matters because it reaches someone with a real need.

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

If no one ever needed help, the world's acts of giving would lose their purpose, like a puppet moving without a living hand.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

This grand cool world shall move to and fro Sans Askers like a puppet show

G.U. Pope Translation

If askers cease, the mighty earth, where cooling fountains flow,Will be a stage where wooden puppets come and go

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

If there were no beggars, (the actions done in) the cool wide world would only resemble the movement of a puppet

Tamil commentary

பிச்சை ஏற்பார் என்பவர் இல்லாது போய் விட்டால், குளி்ர்ந்த பெரிய இவ்வுலகத்தில் வாழ்பவரின் வாழ்க்கை, வெறும் மரப்பொம்மைகளின் போக்குவரத்தாகவே ஆகிவிடும்.

Chapter 106

More from Mendicancy

இரவு

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 1051

Demand from those who can supply Default is theirs when they deny

Kural 1052

Even demand becomes a joy When the things comes without annoy

Kural 1053

Request has charm form open hearts Who know the duty on their part

Kural 1054

Like giving even asking seems From those who hide not even in dreams

Kural 1055

The needy demand for help because The world has men who don't refuse

Kural 1056

The pain of poverty shall die Before the free who don't deny

Kural 1057

When givers without scorn impart A thrill of delight fills the heart

Kural 1058

This grand cool world shall move to and fro Sans Askers like a puppet show

Kural 1059

Where stands the glory of givers Without obligation seekers?

Kural 1060

The needy should not scowl at \"No\" His need another's need must show * Saint valluvar talks of two kinds of Asking:() Asking help for public causes or enterprises () Begging when one is able to work and this is condemned